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The prospective multicentre Phase II PTLD-2 trial (NCT02042391) tested modified risk-stratification in adult SOT recipients with CD20-positive PTLD based on principles established in the PTLD-1 trials: sequential treatment and risk-stratification. After rituximab monotherapy induction, patients in complete remission as well as those in partial remission with IPI p = 0.432). 2-year OS in the low-risk group was 100%. Results with R-CHOP-21 in high-risk patients confirmed previous results. Immunochemotherapy intensification in very-high-risk patients was disappointing.

The prognosis of patients with relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains poor with current options. Here we prospectively evaluated the combination of pixantrone with obinutuzumab for up to six cycles for patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL. Overall response rate (ORR) was the primary end-point. Sixty-eight patients were evaluated, median age was 75 years, median number of prior lines was three (range 1-10), 52 patients (76.5%) were diagnosed with DLBCL and 16 (23.5%) patients had transformed indolent lymphoma or follicular lymphoma (FL) IIIB. ORR was 35.3% for all and 40% for evaluable patients (16.6% complete response), median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 2.8 months and 8 months, respectively. Analysis of the cell of origin revealed a superior course for patients with non-GCB (germinal centre B-cell-like) phenotype [median OS not reached (n.r.) vs 5.2 months]. Patients with one prior line had an improved outcome over patients treated in later lines (PFS n.r. vs 2.5 months). Disease progression was the main reason for premature termination. Adverse events were mainly haematologic. The combination treatment revealed no unexpected adverse events. Most relevant non-haematologic toxicity was infection in 28% of patients. In summary, pixantrone-obinutuzumab showed clinical activity with sometimes long-term remission; however, the trial failed to meet its primary end-point.

LBA7502 Background: Elderly patients (pts) with MCL are unsuitable for intensive chemotherapy or transplantation due to excessive toxicities. Single-agent ibrutinib (Ibr), a first-in-class, oral Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi), has transformed the care of pts with relapsed or refractory MCL with durable activity. We conducted a phase III trial (SHINE; NCT01776840) to evaluate combining Ibr with a standard chemoimmunotherapy (BR) and R maintenance in older pts with untreated MCL. Methods: Pts aged ≥ 65 years, enrolled between May 2013 and November 2014 from 183 sites across all geographical regions, were stratified by simplified MIPI score (low vs intermediate vs high risk) and were randomized 1:1 to Ibr (560 mg orally daily) or placebo (Pbo), plus 6 cycles of B (90 mg/m2) and R (375 mg/m2). Pts who achieved an objective response received R maintenance, administered every 8 weeks for up to 12 additional doses in both arms. Ibr and Pbo were administered until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) assessed by the investigators. Results: A total of 523 pts were randomized to Ibr + BR (n = 261) or Pbo + BR (n = 262). Median age was 71 years (range, 65–87), 65.6% of pts had low/intermediate simplified MIPI, and 8.6% had blastoid/pleiomorphic histology. At the primary analysis, median follow up was 84.7 months. The primary endpoint was met as PFS was significantly improved in the Ibr arm vs the Pbo arm (hazard ratio, 0.75; one-sided P = 0.011). Median PFS was 80.6 months with Ibr in combination with BR and R maintenance, a 50% improvement over Pbo in combination with BR and R maintenance (median PFS of 52.9 months). The complete response rate was 65.5% in the Ibr arm and 57.6% in the Pbo arm ( P = 0.0567). There was no difference in overall survival between treatment arms ( P = 0.648). Time to next treatment was longer in the Ibr arm compared with the Pbo arm ( P < 0.001). Fifty-two (19.9%) and 106 (40.5%) pts received subsequent anti-lymphoma therapy in the Ibr and Pbo arms, respectively; 41/106 (38.7%) received a second-line BTKi in the Pbo arm. Rates of grade 3 or 4 treatment-emergent adverse events were 81.5% and 77.3% in the Ibr and Pbo arms, respectively. Of adverse events of clinical interest for BTKis, atrial fibrillation was reported in 13.9% and 6.5% of pts in the Ibr and Pbo arms, respectively. Rates of major hemorrhage, hypertension, arthralgia, and secondary primary malignancies were similar in both arms. Quality of life was also similar in both arms. Conclusions: This phase III study in untreated MCL demonstrated that Ibr combined with BR and R maintenance significantly improved PFS compared with standard chemoimmunotherapy, with a median PFS of 6.7 years. The safety profile was consistent with the known profiles of the individual drugs. Clinical trial information: NCT01776840.

Background:Long-term clinical and molecular remissions in patients with MCL following HDT and ASCT have been evaluated in only a few studies. Results are especially limited for remission duration over 5 years. So the curability of this disease remains an open question. Patients and methods:Altogether 61 patients with MCL were treated in our institution with ASCT from 1998 to April 2019 (50 1st-line ASCT, ten 2nd-line ASCT, one 3rd-line ASCT). The data were collected retrospectively in 29 and prospectively in 32 patients who participated in two clinical trials: the 1st-line therapy trials of the German Low Grade Lymphoma Study Group (GLSG, principal investigator W. Hiddemann [Dreyling M, Blood 2005] and the European Mantle Cell Lymphoma Network [Hermine O, Lancet 2016], respectively. The diagnosis was regularly approved by the reference pathology of the GLSG (W.K.). The induction therapy before 1st-line ASCT consisted of 6 courses CHOP (n=11), mostly combined with rituximab and followed by Dexa-BEAM, and 6 alternating courses of R-CHOP and R-DHAP (n=39), respectively. For the salvage treatment patients usually received three to four courses of the DHAP protocol or the ESHAP protocol, since 2001 also combined with rituximab.Stem cell apheresis was carried out in the Blood Transfusion Service following these protocols in remission. High-dose protocols: 1) total body irradiation with cyclophosphamide or melphalan and cytarabin (n=32) or 2) BEAM (n=29). Patients with partial remission after ASCT received a radiotherapy (RT) with 30-36 Gy in the field of persisting lymphoma, if possible (n=4). Since 09/2016 patients received a maintenance therapy with rituximab after ASCT (every 2 months, planned for 3 years, n=14). Further details are described in an earlier publication of our first 36 patients (Metzner B, Ann Hematol 2013). Response assessment was performed by careful clinical examination and by ultrasound, chest x-ray and partly CT at regular 3 - 12 monthly time points. In the case of long-term remission (≥ 5 years; n = 18), peripheral blood was regularly tested twice a year for minimal residual disease (MRD) by quantitative t(11;14) or allel specific IGH RQ-PCR and/or IGH-consensus PCR.Calculations were done using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 25. Data were analysed as of 01 July 2019. Results:With a median follow-up of 5 years (range 0.1-20) 10-year overall survival, progression-free survival (PFS) and freedom from progression (FFP) after 1st-line ASCT were 54%, 46% and 52%, respectively, after 2nd-line ASCT 42%, 20%and 20%, with a significant difference for PFS (p=0.045) and FFP (p=0.014) between 1st-line and 2nd-line cohort.Further prognostic factors (like sex, age, MIPI, bone marrow involvement, remission grade at ASCT: CR vs. PR, type of HDT: TBI vs. BEAM…) seemed to be without relevance (considering the small subgroups). Only one clinical relapse occurred after 5 years following ASCT in 1stor 2ndremission, respectively (one patient 6 years after 1st-line ASCT and another patient 7 years after 2nd-line ASCT and subsequent radiotherapy). So far, 18 patients experienced long-term remissions of at least 5 years (median 9 years, from 5 to 16 years). Fifteen of 17 tested patients were MRD negative at last follow-up, the two MRD positive patients (positive at a low level below the quantitative measuring range) had no clinical signs of relapse at last follow-up. None of these 18 patients had received rituximab maintenance therapy. None showed clinical criteria of "smoldering mantle cell lymphoma" at induction therapy. Treatment-related mortality at 100 days after ASCT was 1.6% (pneumonitis following TBI). One patient developed a secondary invasive malignancy in remission after ASCT (acute myeloid leukemia 4 years following TBI). Conclusion: Sustained long-term clinical and molecular remissions up to 16 years can be achieved following ASCT (without rituximab maintenance therapy), indicating the potential curative impact of 1st-line ASCT in MCL. The 2nd-line ASCT was obviously less effective. Disclosures Dreyling: Celgene: Consultancy, Other: scientific advisory board, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Other: scientific advisory board, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Mundipharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: scientific advisory board, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Bayer: Consultancy, Other: scientific advisory board, Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Consultancy, Other: scientific advisory board, Speakers Bureau; Acerta: Other: scientific advisory board; Novartis: Other: scientific advisory board; Sandoz: Other: scientific advisory board. Klapper:Roche, Takeda, Amgen, Regeneron: Honoraria, Research Funding.

Purpose To study pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and efficacy of prolonged rituximab exposure in elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Patients and Methods In the SMARTE-R-CHOP-14 trial, rituximab 375 mg/m2 was administered, together with six cycles of rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone on a 14-day schedule (6×R-CHOP-14), on days −4, 0, 10, 29, 57, 99, 155, and 239. Pharmacokinetics and outcome were to be compared with those of patients who had received 6×R-CHOP-14 in combination with eight 2-week applications of rituximab in the RICOVER-60 (Rituximab With CHOP Over Age 60 Years) trial. Results The complete response (CR)/unconfirmed CR rate was 85% in 189 evaluable patients, 90% for 90 good-prognosis patients (International Prognostic Index [IPI], 1 or 2), and 81% for 99 poor-prognosis patients (IPI, 3 to 5); 3-year event-free survival (EFS) was 71%, 75%, and 67%, respectively; and 3-year overall survival (OS) was 84%, 88%, and 80%, respectively, with no differences between men and women. The preplanned historical comparison with 306 RICOVER-60 patients (good prognosis, n = 183; poor prognosis, n = 123) revealed no outcome differences for all and good-prognosis patients; however, the longer exposure time in SMARTE-R-CHOP-14 compared with RICOVER-60 was associated with better 3-year EFS (67% v 54%) and OS (80% v 67%) in poor-prognosis patients. Conclusion Extended rituximab exposure compared with eight 2-week applications in combination with 6×R-CHOP-14 significantly improved outcome of elderly poor-prognosis patients without increasing toxicity. To our knowledge, results obtained with the SMARTE-R-CHOP-14 rituximab schedule are the best reported for elderly patients with DLBCL to date. In the subgroup of poor-prognosis patients treated with extended rituximab exposure, the outcome seemed superior to that of a similar historical cohort of patients treated with 6×R-CHOP-14 plus 2-week rituximab, with similar toxicity. A randomized comparison of the two schedules is warranted.

Background Follicular lymphoma is characterized by slow growth and an initially high rate of response to treatment, but patients typically relapse and experience progressive disease. Rituximab in combination with chemotherapy has been shown to improve overall survival in patients with follicular lymphoma compared with chemotherapy alone, but data from randomized clinical trials evaluating rituximab maintenance treatment in these patients are limited. We aimed to evaluate the effect of maintenance treatment with rituximab on the overall survival of patients with follicular lymphoma. Methods We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that compared rituximab maintenance therapy with observation or treatment at relapse (no maintenance therapy). We searched The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, LILACS, conference proceedings, databases of ongoing trials, and references of published trials. Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of the trials and extracted data. Hazard ratios for time-to-event data were estimated and pooled. Results Five trials including 1143 adult patients were included in this meta-analysis. Data for 985 patients with follicular lymphoma were available for the meta-analysis of overall survival. Patients treated with maintenance rituximab had statistically significantly better overall survival than patients in the observation arm or patients treated at relapse (hazard ratio [HR] for death = 0.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.45 to 0.79). The rate of infection-related adverse events was higher with rituximab maintenance treatment (HR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.21 to 3.27). Patients with refractory or relapsed (ie, previously treated) follicular lymphoma had a survival benefit with maintenance rituximab therapy (HR for death = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.42 to 0.79), whereas previously untreated patients did not (HR for death = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.37 to 1.25). Conclusions These results suggest that maintenance therapy with rituximab, either as four weekly infusions every 6 months or as a single infusion every 2-3 months, should be added to standard therapy for patients with relapsed or refractory (ie, previously treated) follicular lymphoma after successful induction therapy. The higher rate of infections with rituximab therapy should be taken into consideration when making treatment decisions.

Identifying the various genetic alterations that contribute to lymphomagenesis is key to our improved understanding of the biological behavior of the disease. Recently, we and others have defined a tumor suppressor region on the short arm of chromosome 9 harboring a cluster of genes, including MTAP, CDKN2A (p16INK4a), and CDKN2B (p15INK4B), which is frequently deleted in a variety of tumor types. To determine whether this region is involved in a particular subset of malignant lymphomas, we have examined 16 cases of diffuse large-cell lymphoma (DLCL) (including three cases that evolved from low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) (transformed DLCL)), and nine cases of low-grade NHL that had subpopulations of large cells with a diffuse growth pattern (seven follicular NHL, one chronic lymphocytic leukemia, one mycosis fungoides). Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed on these samples using a 250-kb cosmid contig (COSp16), which encompasses MTAP, CDKN2A, and CDKN2B. Six of the 16 DLCLs and one of nine low-grade NHLs had deletions of COSp16. COSp16 was homozygously deleted in four cases; two cases had hemizygous deletions, and one case had a partial homozygous deletion of the cosmid contig. Three of 13 cases of de novo DLCL, all three transformed DLCLs, and one of nine low-grade NHL had COSp16 deletions. Although the numbers are small, COSp16 deletion was associated with transformed DLCL in contrast to de novo DLCL (P < 0.04, Fisher's exact test) or low-grade NHL (P < 0.02). The COSp16 deletion was mostly submicroscopic and was not observed in association with any specific recurring cytogenetic abnormalities. These results suggest that targeted deletion of the CDKN2A region occurs in a subset of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, and may be associated with transformed lymphomas.

Non-Hodgkin’ s lymphomas (NHLs) are malignant proliferations of the lymphoid tissues that can be distinguished from Hodgkin’s lymphoma (see Chapter 14) by a variety of clinical and histological features. NHLs are a disease of predominantly elderly persons, with a median age around 50–70 yr, are more heterogeneous in their behavior, and often have an extranodal involvement. The classification of NHLs continues to evolve. Recently, anew World Health Organization (WHO) classification scheme was introduced, which is based on the revised European American Lymphoma (REAL) classification and incorporates some of the progress in immunology and molecular biology (see “Classification”). Considerations that enter into these classifications are the lymphocyte lineage (B- vs T-cell type), and maturation status (precursor vs mature cell type), additional immunophenotypic markers, and characteristic molecular alterations. Based on these criteria, the clinical course and biology of each distinct lymphoma subtype may be more accurately predicted. About 90% of the NHLs are derived from a malignant B-cell, the remaining cases from T-cells, natural killer (NK) cells, or undifferentiated cells. In recent years, the incidence of NHL has steadily increased. NHLs are more frequent than Hodgkin’ s lymphoma and have an annual incidence of about 15–20 new cases per 100,000 people.

Introduction Alkylating agent-rituximab combinations are a current standard of care for patients with iNHL. Most iNHL will eventually become refractory to current therapies. Particularly, once iNHL becomes “double-refractory” to rituximab + alkylating agents, there are few data available on beneficial therapeutic options and development of novel therapies is essential for this patient population. PI3K-delta signaling is critical for activation, proliferation and survival of B cells, and is hyperactive in many B-cell malignancies. Idelalisib, a selective oral inhibitor of PI3Kδ, demonstrated considerable activity in recurrent iNHL in a phase 1 trial (Kahl, ICML 2011). We thus evaluated idelalisib in a phase 2 trial for patients with double-refractory iNHL, an area of unmet medical need. We present mature response data and extended follow-up of this study. Methods Eligible iNHL patients (pts) included those with measurable disease who were refractory to both rituximab and an alkylating agent. Refractory status was defined as lack of response to, or progression of lymphoma within 6 months of completion of therapy, documented by imaging. Idelalisib 150 mg PO BID was administered continuously until disease progression or intolerance. Responses were evaluated by an independent review committee, using standard criteria (Cheson, 2007). The new data cutoff date for this analysis was June 2013, 8 months after the last patient enrolled. Results Enrolled pts (N=125) had a median age of 64 years [range 33-87] and were 64% male. Indolent NHL subtypes included follicular lymphoma (FL) n=72 (58%), small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) n=28 (22%), marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) n=15 (12%) and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL)/Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM) n=10 (8%). The median number of prior therapies was 4 [range 2-12], most common regimens included bendamustine/rituximab (BR) (n=60) and rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone (R-CHOP) (n=56) and 14 pts (11%) had a prior autologous transplant. 81 pts (65%) had prior bendamustine, of which 61/81 (75%) were refractory. 112 pts (90%) were refractory to their last regimen, and 99 pts (79%) were refractory to ≥2 regimens. Median time since completion of last regimen was 3.9 months. At baseline, pts had elevated LDH (30%), bulky disease >7 cm (26%), anemia ≥grade 1 (51%), neutropenia ≥ grade 1 (24%), and thrombocytopenia ≥grade 1 (34%). With a median follow up 9.4 months, the overall response rate (ORR) was 57% (95% CI = 47.6, 65.6) with 71 responders, comprising 7 CRs (6%), 63 PRs (50%), and 1 minor response (MR) in a WM pt. There were 42 pts with stable disease (SD) (33%). 90% of pts experienced some decrease in tumor burden (Figure 1). Median time to response was 1.9 months (range 1.6-8.3), median time to CR was 3.7 months (range 1.9-12). ORR for iNHL subtypes was: FL (54%), SLL (61%), LPL/WM (80%), and MZL (47%). ORR for bendamustine refractory pts was 59%. ORR for pts with The most common adverse events were (total%/≥ grade 3%) diarrhea (43/13), fatigue (30/2), nausea (30/2), cough (29/0), pyrexia (28/2), dyspnea (18/3), rash (13/2), and pneumonia (11/7). Based on central laboratory measurements, Grade ≥3 ALT/AST elevations occurred in 16 pts (13%). Drug was held for these pts, and 11/14 pts (79%) were re-treated without recurrence of ALT/AST elevation. Grade ≥3 neutropenia occurred in 27%, thrombocytopenia in 6%, and anemia in 2%. 20% of pts have discontinued therapy due to adverse events. Conclusions Idelalisib was well tolerated, had an acceptable safety profile, and was highly effective in this double-refractory iNHL population with an ORR of 57%. The ORR was consistent across all subgroups, regardless of disease histology, number of prior regimens, refractoriness to bendamustine, or tumor bulk. With continued administration of idelalisib, responses were durable beyond one year, substantially exceeding the median DOR for the last prior therapy. Mature response data demonstrate that idelalisib can provide clinical benefit to patients with the unmet medical need of double-refractory iNHL. Disclosures: Gopal: Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Off Label Use: Idelalisib is a PI3K-delta inhibitor currently in phase III trials for multiple hematologic malignancies. Kahl:Gilead Sciences: Advisory Board Other, Research Funding. De Vos:Gilead Sciences: Advisory Board Other, Research Funding. Wagner-Johnston:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Schuster:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Blum:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Jurczak:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Flinn:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Flowers:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Martin:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Viardot:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Goy:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Davies:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Zinzani:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Dreyling:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding. Holes:Gilead Sciences: Employment. Li:Gilead Sciences: Employment. Dansey:Gilead Sciences: Employment. Godfrey:Gilead Sciences: Employment. Salles:Gilead Sciences: Research Funding.

Many human malignant cells lack methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) enzyme activity. The gene (MTAP) encoding this enzyme was previously mapped to the short arm of chromosome 9, band p21-22, a region that is frequently deleted in multiple tumor types. To clone candidate tumor suppressor genes from the deleted region on 9p21-22, we have constructed a long-range physical map of 2.8 megabases for 9p21 by using overlapping yeast artificial chromosome and cosmid clones. This map includes the type IIFN gene cluster, the recently identified candidate tumor suppressor genes CDKN2 (p16INK4A) and CDKN2B (p15INK4B), and several CpG islands. In addition, we have identified other transcription units within the yeast artificial chromosome contig. Sequence analysis of a 2.5-kb cDNA clone isolated from a CpG island that maps between the IFN genes and CDKN2 reveals a predicted open reading frame of 283 amino acids followed by 1302 nucleotides of 3' untranslated sequence. This gene is evolutionarily conserved and shows significant amino acid homologies to mouse and human purine nucleoside phosphorylases and to a hypothetical 25.8-kDa protein in the pet gene (coding for cytochrome bc1 complex) region of Rhodospirillum rubrum. The location, expression pattern, and nucleotide sequence of this gene suggest that it codes for the MTAP enzyme.

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a distinct subtype of malignant lymphoma with an especially poor prognosis and a median survival of only 3–4 years. In 1996, the European MCL Network initiated a randomized trial to improve the otherwise dismal outcome of MCL, comparing early consolidation with myeloablative radiochemotherapy (TBI 12 gray, cyclophosphamide 120 mg/kg bw) followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) to a conventional a -interferon maintenance (6x106 IE IFNa 3x weekly) in first remission after a CHOP-like induction regimen. Until March 2004, a total of 269 previously untreated patients (up to 65 years) were randomized upfront. 189 (82%) of 230 patients with advanced stage MCL completed initial induction chemotherapy and 142 (75%) achieved either a complete (45 pts., 24%) or partial response (97 pts, 51%). 122 pts proceeded to consolidation therapy, 62 pts received ASCT consolidation and 60 patients were assigned to IFN maintenance. Patients in the ASCT study arm experienced a significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS) as compared to patients in the IFNa arm. The PFS at 2 years was 73% after ASCT as compared to only 43% in the IFNa arm (p = 0.0108). Similar results were achieved in the intent to treat analysis of all initially randomised MCL patients (p=0.0001). Accordingly, this advantage resulted in a trend towards an improved overall survival (OS) in the ASCT arm. After a follow-up of up to nearly 7 years (median follow-up of patients: 2.8 years), 3 year survival after ASCT was 83% in comparison to 77% under IFNa maintenance (p = 0.18). As expected, acute toxicity was higher in the ASCT group with an early mortality of 4.8%, whereas long-term effects were more frequently encountered under IFNa maintenance. Conclusion : In first line treatment of advanced stage MCL, dose-intensified consolidation with myeloablative radiochemotherapy followed by ASCT after CHOP-like induction results in a significant prolongation of PFS. Current study concepts evaluate the benefits of combined immuno-chemotherapy to further improve the overall survival.